The NBA trade deadline is still a few weeks away, but speculation is already heating up.

Now that the NBA Cup tournament has concluded, teams are evaluating their performance and setting strategies for the rest of the season. This period also presents a critical opportunity for clubs to trade impending free agents, ensuring they get value in return for players they may lose.

The trade deadline is set for February 6 at 3 p.m. ET.

Here’s what is currently being discussed around the league:

Nuggets Eyeing Zach LaVine

The Denver Nuggets are looking to bolster their roster and have shown interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, according to a source who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the discussions. The Nuggets are looking for additional scoring power, and LaVine fits the bill, averaging 21.7 points this season with shooting percentages of 50.1% overall and 42.8% from beyond the arc.

LaVine is currently in the third year of a five-year, $215.1 million contract and will be eligible for free agency after the 2025-26 season.

Although discussions are ongoing, no trade deal is expected to happen imminently as both teams evaluate their options.

Pelicans Consider Trading Brandon Ingram

The New Orleans Pelicans are contemplating trading forward Brandon Ingram to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency. However, with Ingram’s asking price and his $36 million contract for the final season, their potential trading partners are limited, as few teams can accommodate that financial commitment without assurance of his re-signing.

Wizards Seeking Draft Picks

The Washington Wizards are focused on accumulating draft assets, making nearly all players who weren’t taken in the 2023 or 2024 drafts available for trade, according to league sources who spoke anonymously regarding trade conversations.

Assets the Wizards are considering trading include forwards Kyle Kuzma and Corey Kispert, as well as guards Jordan Poole and Malcolm Brogdon, and center Jonas Valanciunas.

Latest on Jimmy Butler Trade Speculations

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat is likely to be a popular figure in trade talks. He is currently in the second year of a three-year, $146 million deal but can opt out of his final contract year and enter free agency this summer.

Butler is expected to seek a maximum salary in his next contract, which means if he is traded, it will have to be to a team confident about re-signing him. It’s also worth noting that the Heat historically avoid making big trades during the deadline, preferring to manage roster changes during the offseason.

Could the Lakers Make a Deal?

Guard D’Angelo Russell appears to be a prime candidate for a trade ahead of the deadline. After starting 10 games this year, he was moved to the bench by coach JJ Redick.

Russell has embraced his new sixth-man role, stating he’s “just doing what I’m asked.” He averages 12.4 points and 4.8 assists over 25 games, logging just 26.6 minutes per game, the fewest since the 2017-18 season with the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets have reportedly shown interest in Russell, along with the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors being potential landing spots for the guard.

A trade involving Butler is unlikely, but could hinge on a deal that bolsters Butler’s support for a run in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Cameron Johnson on the Trading Block?

Cameron Johnson has kicked off the 2024 season impressively, averaging 18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He has a contract extending to 2027, making him an appealing target for numerous teams like the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Oklahoma City Thunder. According to The Athletic, acquiring Johnson might require “a first-round pick and attractive prospects.”

Is Jonas Valanciunas Headed for a Trade?

Jonas Valanciunas signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards this past offseason, but he could be on the move soon.

The Lakers and Indiana Pacers are reportedly interested in acquiring the veteran center. This season, Valanciunas averages 12 points and 7.6 rebounds per game over 24 appearances.

The Lakers might seek Valanciunas to better support Anthony Davis by providing another significant inside presence, while the Pacers aim to bolster their frontcourt after losing Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman to serious injuries.